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 Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:52 am
Hey, Its me again, and once again I have come to talk about meanings and issues.
I have an extremely hard time finding another male wiccan, and when I go to visit a group of other wiccans, and they are all female, I feel a little uneasy, as if men are not welcome. I mean of course I am welcome, I know this is my faith, my life, and my path.
But why is it that there are so few male witches?
Once again, the lack of them can tilt towards a bad name.
Maybe some among us think that a witch is only a woman, maybe some ignorant men think being a witch is like being some kind of transexual, but the word witch doesnt have a gender to it.
I think it could be the word witch that might make some of them think "Oh they only accept women. Ok. Bye.", or maybe its something else? Please post what you think.
Some circles have minor solutions to this, as to calling males wicca and females wicce (pronounced wick-ee). I'm not saying we should divide them, I'm just saying that the word witch seems female in the media and in our public midst.
And just to make this clear.
Please post what you think deters male wiccans
Or maybe I'm wrong, do you see many male witches?
Maybe even you think that wiccanism isnt for men, as some do?
Please post your opinion, as I have only found myself as the only male in the guild, I am beginning to wonder if I'm not entirely welcome, if this is a female group, I dont know, enlighten me.
Maybe some reason is; the same why there are so little male feminists, It could just look like the man is trying to get lucky.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:59 am
Maybe I'm taking this to fair, but when I think about wiccan, I think about healing and the feminine side of the world. Perhaps the male urge to fight outways the male urge to comforts/heal ect... No offense but most men in the wiccan religion that I've gotten to know have all had a very female grace and understandiing to them. And are usually bisexual or gay, thinking about it, I've never be introduced to a straight male who was a wiccan. I wonder why...I like men, and I would like for more males to join the guild to so it would bring a better balance to the different aspects that we often look at.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:06 am
EdanaDesmond Maybe I'm taking this to far, but when I think about wiccan, I think about healing and the feminine side of the world. Perhaps the male urge to fight outways the male urge to comforts/heal ect... No offense but most men in the wiccan religion that I've gotten to know have all had a very female grace and understandiing to them. And are usually bisexual or gay, thinking about it, I've never be introduced to a straight male who was a wiccan. I wonder why...I like men, and I would like for more males to join the guild to so it would bring a better balance to the different aspects that we often look at.
Be careful where you tread my sister; I know its hard not to offend when discussing something genderwise.
Surely if it is a female side of the world, then why do we have a lord who can display a very masculine image, if you read verses, the very majestic fire and glory, male thing it has going on.
I understand what you mean, I have been told to be understanding and... I'm not sure if I have a female grace, but I do have a disturbing mentality that many have called intelligence, but which I think to call passion for an opinion, but; Surely, this is not because of a feminine side of things.
Look at what you've said. Graceful. Understanding. You must realise, that these men have opened their eyes.
I sound offended; believe me I'm not, I just want to have some people agree that we should display a male side of wiccanism as well as a female side.
And don't worry, I'm not losing my faith. I've been a wiccan for about four years. Not turning back now.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:11 pm
I believe that Wicca is equally a male and female religion...the reasons why females become more attracted to it could be from a variety of reasons. One, I think that many people began to turn Wicca into a more Goddess focused religion (I don't think it should be, but with the whole new age, hippyish, Starhawk things that went on...) and this still carries on today...girls probably feel like they can connect with the Goddess more than guys can. Secondly, maybe some guys get turned off by the idea that they're associating themselves with the entire nature, getting in touch with yourself idea, but that goes for both genders. There are a few other things that I could speculate on (but I don't have a lot of time right now) but I would like to say that my best friend is a Wiccan male, he's straight, he's been practicing for a few years and he's an incredibly intelligent person. I also know an older man (who isn't gay as far as I know...he has a wife) who has been practicing for quite a while as well, way longer than I've been alive, but you wouldn't be able to tell. He's pretty much a normal looking guy but you can tell that there's something very occultish about him. So they are out there. I think that woman can have a tendency to go through a Wiccan "phase" more than men as well, which is something else to keep in mind.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:03 pm
I know several guys who are straight and into Wicca. I think that in general, there are likely a lot of solitary guys who are on this path, who don't speak up. There is a big enough "stigma" about coming out of the broom closet when you are a girl, but for a guy I would think it may be a lot more difficult. It is generally acceptable for women to want to "find themselves" and find inner meanings/feelings, emotions (not that this necessarily has anything to do with Wicca - but the perception may be there), etc..., but I think that guy have always been expected to "know". I also think that because there is a focus on the Goddess, people automatically assume that it is a "woman" thing. Not realizing that to be able to embrace both makes us more complete, no matter if we are male or female.
I think that one of the reason that you do see a larger number of openly gay/bisexual wiccans/pagans is because there is tolerance, where in other religious communities (or communities in general) there is none. They are likely present in those other communities, but they aren't able to be open about it.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:19 pm
Faeryselene I believe that Wicca is equally a male and female religion...the reasons why females become more attracted to it could be from a variety of reasons. One, I think that many people began to turn Wicca into a more Goddess focused religion (I don't think it should be, but with the whole new age, hippyish, Starhawk things that went on...) and this still carries on today...girls probably feel like they can connect with the Goddess more than guys can. Secondly, maybe some guys get turned off by the idea that they're associating themselves with the entire nature, getting in touch with yourself idea, but that goes for both genders. There are a few other things that I could speculate on (but I don't have a lot of time right now) but I would like to say that my best friend is a Wiccan male, he's straight, he's been practicing for a few years and he's an incredibly intelligent person. I also know an older man (who isn't gay as far as I know...he has a wife) who has been practicing for quite a while as well, way longer than I've been alive, but you wouldn't be able to tell. He's pretty much a normal looking guy but you can tell that there's something very occultish about him. So they are out there. I think that woman can have a tendency to go through a Wiccan "phase" more than men as well, which is something else to keep in mind. I quite agree. One of the reasons I found wicca so interesting is because I like the fact that it focuses on having both a male and female diety which i hoped would ensure equality. But it is hard to find men who are seriously into the religion and not just interested in the magic or being 'skyclad' (ya won't believe how many guys ask me about stupid crap like that), but there are good wiccan men out there. You just really have to search. I have found some in this yahoo group I used to belong to. On another note.. I'm not sure where you find that warlock means liar/deciever. I find it means one who practices dark arts... which is not wiccan either, but does not make them liars or decievers.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:21 pm
Just want to add my 2 cents...
I think you will find more females attracted to Wicca because of the duality in the divine. After being second best to males most of our recorded history, females are finding that the draw of the goddess makes them feel more emowered in this male dominated world.
Now I am not about to go all she-ra, woman power here, but you will find yourself in the minority as a male Wicca. I think it takes a stronger man to be able to embrace his feminine as well as his masculine side. I wouldn't worry too much about being the only male. Just think you can do a little more of the High Priest role and possibly gain a little more knowledge.
Good luck
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:58 pm
Fer33 Just want to add my 2 cents... I think you will find more females attracted to Wicca because of the duality in the divine. After being second best to males most of our recorded history, females are finding that the draw of the goddess makes them feel more emowered in this male dominated world. Now I am not about to go all she-ra, woman power here, but you will find yourself in the minority as a male Wicca. I think it takes a stronger man to be able to embrace his feminine as well as his masculine side. I wouldn't worry too much about being the only male. Just think you can do a little more of the High Priest role and possibly gain a little more knowledge. Good luck
Yeah, and who knows, you might end up being pretty foxy with da ladies wink wink wink bow chicka bow waow
okay...don't ask sweatdrop xd
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:12 pm
Quote: On another note.. I'm not sure where you find that warlock means liar/deciever. I find it means one who practices dark arts... which is not wiccan either, but does not make them liars or decievers. Quote: war·lock: noun 1. a man who practices the black arts; a male witch; sorcerer. 2. a fortuneteller or conjurer. [ Origin: bef. 900; ME warloghe, -lach, OE wǣrloga oathbreaker, devil, equiv. to wǣr covenant + -loga betrayer (deriv. of léogan to lie)] In general I would never call anyone a warlock - it's just not an accepted practice...unless you are looking to be insulting to someone. I've only run into a small number of people who actually identify themselves (in a positive way) as such, and truly I have no clue why they chose to do so. you can also check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlock
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:31 pm
I agree with Fer33 & the others on having a focus on equality. Just as everything is part of a cycle, everything has both female AND male duality. (my opinion & beliefs only) Of course I focus on the All normally rather than seperate into male & female- but I would hope male wiccans would be equally accepted among female wiccans.
One thought is that it seems like in the pagan community that while most Wiccans are female- most Druids are male. Perhaps the word "Witch" having been used mainly for women has affected men wanting to use it- so they become Druids instead thinking its more "manly"? The beliefs are fairly similar- though there are few differences.
Just a thought.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:48 pm
So I assume I shouldn't worry about not feeling welcome in this guild?
I'll probably fit in, with time.
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:31 am
Yes you'll fit in. Everyone does at some point, but I think you have to try to get there. ^ ^
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:09 am
Lord Ragamuffin So I assume I shouldn't worry about not feeling welcome in this guild?
I'll probably fit in, with time. I would hope that you wouldn't have to worry about not feeling welcome here. I know we don't have a lot of males in this guild, but I think it's nice that we have the ones that we do have. And we are most certainly glad to have you here. 3nodding
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:14 am
I would like to say that I doubt anyone here doesn't think you fit in. New people come in all the time, and seeing as we all fit in under the title of Wiccan or have an interest in it than we are all automatically linked.
I felt very welcome when I got here and it wasn't because there were a bunch of girls.
And I would also like to point out for the guys that haven't been on in a while there are many of them in the guild. You aren't the only one. I think you are just expecting to be. If you expect to be left out or the only one than that is how you will view it.
On the discussion side of things I think men are much less likely to call themselves witch simply because society has said "that is what you call a girl". Look at Harry Potter for instance? Harry is a wizard while Hermione is a witch. Male Wiccans are around, I am guessing though that they often give themselves a different title or just don't use one at all. Just my thoughts.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:44 pm
dark_angel_32189 Lord Ragamuffin So I assume I shouldn't worry about not feeling welcome in this guild?
I'll probably fit in, with time. I would hope that you wouldn't have to worry about not feeling welcome here. I know we don't have a lot of males in this guild, but I think it's nice that we have the ones that we do have. And we are most certainly glad to have you here. 3nodding Nobody is going to know what sex you are anyway unless you go advertise it. It's not like everyone's avatar is representational of their sex. Besides, sex is simply genetalia. Don't give a flip if you're a man or a woman unless it comes to the bedsheets. And even then, there some people who don't care. xd One additional reason for a preponderance of females in Wicca and Neopaganism in general is that more women IN GENERAL are religious and spiritual than men, regardless of what religion you're talking about. This isn't just characteristic of Neopaganism. A tad bit of this depends on how you're measuring 'religiousity' and 'spirituality' but by and large, women value both of these more than men, particularly the community aspect and networking (which is where the OP is getting his experience from). I've met plenty of guy Neopagans. More female ones, but not so much so that I think it's strange in any way.
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